Category: Biological Sciences
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Size Dependent Predation on Eastern Oysters (Crassostrea virginica) in the Tidal Rappahannock Estuary
By Chessa Lowery Faculty Mentor: Bradley Lamphere Abstract The eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) is a commercially important shellfish species with a wide variety of predators in the Chesapeake Bay and Rappahannock river. The cownose ray (Rhinoptera bonasus) is recognized as a major predator of C. virginica, however their impact on C. virginica populations is not…
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Characterization of the bioluminescent gene pathway engineered into the Firefly© Petunia
By Cat Williams Faculty Mentor: Dr. April Wynn Abstract Petunias do not naturally bioluminesce; however, the transgenic Firefly Petunia, created by Light Bio, contains genes from the bioluminescent mushroom, Neonothopanus nambi, inserted into its genome. In an effort to confirm the insertion and location of the inserted genes, primers were designed, each gene was amplified…
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Estimating Species Diversity of Trees and Shrubs in the UMW Woodlots
By Genevieve Benton, Addison Felts, Lilly Foster Faculty Mentor: Alan Griffith Abstract Biodiversity is integral to understanding and sustaining an ecosystem and its resilience, particularly in the face of anthropological changes, climate crises, or many other factors of interest in science today. Campus biodiversity, including species diversity, is vital to understanding urban ecology and human…
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The Effects of Myoglianin Knockdown in Drosophila melanogaster with Myotonic Dystrophy Type One
By Eleni Kepler Faculty Mentor: Dr. Ginny Morriss Abstract Myotonic Dystrophy Type One (DM1) is a multi-systemic disorder caused by the repeat expansion of a CTG sequence in the DMPK gene that is primarily characterized by low muscle tone. Another common symptom of DM1 is insulin resistance caused by aberrant splicing of the insulin receptor…
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Mast cell contributions to connective tissue weakness
By Katriana Meiman Faculty Mentor: Dr. Laura Sipe Abstract Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS) and Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder (HSD) are disorders of connective tissue weakness with unclear, likely multifactorial mechanisms. This project assessed mast cells as a potential contributing factor due to their ability to induce connective tissue remodeling and the prevalence of mast cell hyperactivity…
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Exploring Phage-Antibiotic Synergy to Enhance Inhibition of Pathogenic Bacillus cereus
By Anna Reed Faculty Mentor: Swati Agrawal Abstract To address the rising threat of antimicrobial resistance to public health, this study explores the use of bacteriophages as alternative treatment strategies when combined with traditional antibiotics. Bacteriophages are viruses that infect bacteria with remarkable specificity. Phages have re-emerged as promising tools to combat antibiotic resistance in…
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Overexpression screening of mycobacteriophage Mercurio reveals inhibitors of mycobacterial growth
By Rae Garber, Amanda Donovan Faculty Mentor: Swati Agrawal Abstract Bacteriophages have emerged as a promising treatment for drug-resistant pathogens such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis, but the structure and function of most phage gene products cannot be predicted. We used genome-wide overexpression screenings to identify genes encoded by mycobacteriophage Mercurio whose products inhibit host growth. Out…
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RESEARCH ON “BEE ABUNDANCE/RICHNESS IN THE MID-ATLANTIC REGION”
By Roheel Nawaz Faculty Mentor: Dr. Alan Griffith Abstract We aim to create a standardized framework for ecological species data that employs various multivariate and clustering techniques to reduce the complexity of vast sampling datasets. The ultimate goal is better understand and visualize ecological bee data across geographical space, and create a framework that can…
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EPHB6 Downregulation as a Predictor of Breast Cancer Progression and Anti–PD-L1 Immunotherapy Response
By Carolina Brooks Faculty Mentor: Dr. Sipe Abstract EPHB6 (ephrin type-b receptor 6) is a member of the receptor tyrosine kinase family that functions as a membrane receptor for ephrin-b ligands but lacks intrinsic kinase activity. It is frequently involved in carcinogenesis, metastasis, and regulation of cell adhesion and migration. Notably, EPHB6 is downregulated during…
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Characterization of the Gene Protein TGME49_232050 in Membrane Contact Sites
By Jessica Kamel Faculty Mentor: Dr. Swati Agrawal Abstract Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular parasite whose pathogenicity depends on the accurate coordination of its organelles. The parasite can infect most warm-blooded animals, including humans, and is best known for causing toxoplasmosis, a disease that can be particularly dangerous for pregnant women and immunocompromised individuals.…
